Shakespearean Tragedies: Play Names
A tragedy about doomed star crossed lovers
Romeo and Juliet
What kind of person is the hero?
A man of high estate: King, Prince, General.
Someone with a touch of greatness.
What is Macbeth's original title?
Thane of Glamis
Here the reader learns about the general setting, the persons, the character traits, problems of the play, the major conflict, and the tragic hero’s flaw.
Exposition
What was the witches prophecy for Macbeth?
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!
All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!
A tragedy involving the conspiracy to kill a Roman Emperor because they believed he was a dictator
Julius Caesar
The hero's obsession is called what?
Hemartia
Tragic Flaw
What is Macbeth's obsession or goal?
The crown/ To become the king of Scotland
Time and urgency becomes important and the action increases. Eventually, the tragic hero will end up alone.
Development/ Rising Actions
What was Banquo's prophecy?
Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none. So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo!
A tragedy of a commander who is tricked by Iago into believing that his wife was unfaithful, resulting in her murder
Othello
What is a foil?
A secondary character that is either one who is opposite to the main character (the Tragic Hero) or nearly the same as the main character. The purpose of the foil character is to emphasize the traits of the main character by contrast. This contrast will highlight various facets of the main character’s personality.
Who is Macbeth's foil?
Banquo
Development/Falling Action
Opposing forces begin to openly resist and make plans for the removal of the tragic hero, and the tragic hero's power is declining as the opposition’s power advances.
MACBETH (aside) The prince of Cumberland! That is a step On which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires; Let not light see my black and deep desires. The eye wink at the hand, yet let that be Which the eye fears, when it is done, to see.
Macbeth thinks about taking out King Duncan and Malcom
A tragedy that dramatizes the physically violent and damaging psychological effects of political ambitions and power.
Macbeth
What happens to the tragic hero at the end of the play?
He dies
Resolution
The opposition reaches its full strength (Climax) and defeats/destroys the isolated, weakened hero. This is where Tragic Recognition takes place, the reader becomes aware of the greatness of the man just loss, and order is restored
Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under ’t
Lady Macbeth advises Macbeth to play innocent even though he has ill intentions though simile
Away, and mock the time with fairest show. False face must hide what the false heart doth know.
Macbeth decides he will go through with the plan